Evaluation of antibacterial efficacy of iron oxide nanoparticles against Vibrio vulnificus: A comparative study with standard antibiotics

The synthesis and utilization of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles are increasing due to their low cost, environmentally friendly, and biocompatible nature. Antimicrobial resistance is noticed as a global health concern by the community. Multidrug therapy and improper treatment of any disease cause an exponential increase in resistant microbial species. Therefore, improving the treatment schemes for curing different types of contagious ailments caused by microbes is essential. An economical co-precipitation technique was utilized for the preparation of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles. The Fe₂O₃ nanostructures were analyzed by FTIR, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, XRD, and TEM techniques. The Fe₂O₃ nanoparticle's dimensions were determined to be 28.72 nm. A toxicity study of these Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles was carried out against a Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio vulnificus and showed toxic properties towards the Vibrio vulnificus. The antibacterial properties of these Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were contrasted with commonly used antibiotics, including chloramphenicol, streptomycin, ampicillin, penicillin, Tetracycline, sulphatriad, Co-Trimoxazole, Clindamycin, Oxacillin, Erythromycin, and Chloramphenicol, etc., and found to be comparable in some cases even better antibacterial activity.